Business, international

RICETEC CARRIES BASMATI WAR TO INDIAN CAMP

Article Abstract:

RiceTec, an agro company of USA, has claimed that Dr EA Siddiq, a scientist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Delhi, had urged it to assert its right to use the term, Basmati, in its trade-marks and patent. The Government of India has appointed Dr Siddiq to gather evidence to fight the Basmati patent case against RiceTec. Dr Siddiq had developed the variety registered as Pusa Basmati which, according to RiceTec, rebuts India's claim that there is only one traditional type of Basmati. RiceTec has stated that Dr Siddiq, in his research papers, has used the word Basmati to define aromatic rice, which is not restricted only to India and Pakistan. (gs)

Comment:

Claims that Dr EA Siddiq had urged it to assert its right to use the term, Basmati, in its trade-marks and patent

GoI TO CHALLENGE RICETEC'S BASMATI PATENT IN US

Article Abstract:

The attorney general of India, Mr Soli Sorabjee has stated that the Government of India will challenge the patent awarded by the US for basmati rice. The US has awarded the patent to RiceTec Corporation of the US. Currently, the Government of India is developing the Bio-diversity Bill, the Geographical Indicators Bill and the Plant Variety and Farmers Rights Protection Bill. These bills will protect Indian agricultural products from being patented by foreigners. The attorney general made these statements in response to a public interest petition filed by Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Economy. (ag)

Comment:

The attorney general of India, Mr Soli Sorabjee has stated that the Government of India will challenge the patent awarded by the US for basmati rice.